Staff Reporter : A journalist has filed an abduction case after alleging that he was lured into a meeting through Facebook, abducted at gunpoint, held in a remote forest for several hours and robbed of money from his bank account and mobile financial service.

Mohammed Kamruzzaman Bablu, Special Correspondent of national daily The Daily Adin, said he was abducted after meeting a man he had become acquainted with through Facebook Messenger about two months earlier.

On Tuesday, Bablu filed the case before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, seeking legal action against those allegedly involved in the incident.

According to the complaint, a Facebook user named “Mamun Sheikh” initially contacted him through Messenger. After learning that Bablu was a journalist, Mamun allegedly offered to provide him with important information, including what he described as “sensational” information about Bitcoin.

On September 30, Mamun reportedly contacted Bablu after arriving in Dhaka and asked to meet him in Jurain, saying he was visiting relatives there.

Bablu said he met Mamun at around 2:30 p.m. near Alam Market, close to Postogola Bridge. Mamun allegedly introduced another man as his friend, “Anik”, before suggesting that they sit somewhere quiet to discuss the information.

Bablu said he was taken to a nearby microbus. Although he was initially reluctant to get inside, he eventually entered after repeated requests.

He alleged that three other men were already inside the vehicle. As soon as he entered, the men allegedly produced weapons, threatened him and ordered him to remain silent. His hands and eyes were then tied, he said.

The vehicle travelled for about three to three-and-a-half hours before reaching what Bablu described as a remote forest.

“There were armed men guarding me,” Bablu said. “They threatened to kill me and questioned me about my writings on Facebook.”

According to his complaint, the men accused him of writing against the government and Sheikh Hasina. They also allegedly questioned him about seeking information from them as a journalist.

Bablu further alleged that the men invoked Tungipara in Gopalganj while threatening to kill him and dispose of his remains.

His mobile phone and bank card were allegedly taken from him, leaving him unable to freely communicate with his family or police.

Later that night, his wife called his phone. Bablu said the abductors allowed him to speak but instructed him to behave normally. His wife nevertheless suspected that he was in danger and informed his family.

His relatives subsequently contacted Paltan Police Station. An officer, SI Tushar Debnath, reportedly attempted to contact Bablu's phone.

Bablu said he was initially prevented from answering the police calls. At around 2:30 a.m., however, he was allowed to speak to his wife and the police officer while still under the abductors' control.

The journalist also alleged that his bank card was used to withdraw money from his account. According to information from his bank statement, a withdrawal was made from an ATM in Gopalganj.

He further alleged that the abductors demanded additional money and arranged for money to be transferred through bKash using his own mobile number.

Bablu said he has collected transaction details and mobile numbers associated with the alleged transfers and has provided relevant information to investigators and the court. He also has the IMEI number of the mobile phone that allegedly remained with the abductors.

The journalist eventually escaped shortly before dawn.

He said the abductors were discussing among themselves when he took advantage of the situation and slowly moved away through the forest. He then ran towards a main road without being noticed.

A pickup driver later gave him a lift after Bablu explained that his life was in danger. The driver dropped him in Mollahat, Bagerhat, from where he contacted his family and eventually returned to Dhaka.

“I was mentally devastated after the incident,” Bablu said. “I want those responsible to be identified through a proper investigation and brought to justice.”

Police and court authorities are expected to examine the bank and bKash transaction records, ATM footage, mobile phone numbers and IMEI information as part of the investigation.

The identities of the people involved and the motive behind the alleged abduction have yet to be established independently.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.